A TRIBE OF WEED WARE IDE S 211 



" They are capricious birds when on their travels, 

 sometimes letting you come very near them without 

 showing a sign of fear, then suddenly taking flight 

 and dashing about in a distracted way. They are also 

 tardy in getting back to their piney homes sometimes, 

 and choose their mates on the journey, unlike most 

 birds. Very often a thoughtless couple are obliged 

 to camp out and build a home wherever they liappen 

 to be, so that their nests have been found in several 

 of the New England States." 



'• Is there only one kind of Crossbill in North 

 America ? " asked Rap. 



'■• No, this Red Crossbill has two cousins ; one with 

 two Avhite bars on each wing, called the White-winged 

 Crossbill, who sometimes travels with him, but is rarer ; 

 and another who lives in Mexico." 



The American Crossbill 



Length about six iiiclies. 



Beak crossed at the tips, but looking Hke a Parrot's if you do not 

 notice how the points cross. 



Male : general color Indian red, with dark wings and tail. 



Female : general color dull olive-green, with wings and tail like 

 the male's. 



A Citizen of the Xorth, making winter excursions all through 

 the United States. 



THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 



(The Jolly Bird, or Thistle Bird) 



" This must be my other bird," said Nat, " the yellow 

 one from the wild grass meadow, Avho had what looked 

 like a little black velvet cap tipped down over his eyes. 

 They are such jolly little chaps that it made me laugh 



